Mercurial
Also known as: Classic Cool , Rocky Bluffs , Warm Pewter , Dove
Part of the gray family, Mercurial pairs a soft base with a neutral and understated presence. It belongs in minimal interfaces and architecture. Its complement lands in gray territory, which makes for striking two-color pairings. Against dark backgrounds it stays legible (9.77:1), but avoid it as text on white.
Reference
Mercurial color codes
- HEX
- #B6B0A9
- RGB
- rgb(182, 176, 169)
- RGBA
- rgba(182, 176, 169, 1)
- HSL
- hsl(32, 8%, 69%)
- HSV
- hsv(32, 7%, 71%)
- CMYK
- cmyk(0%, 3%, 7%, 29%)
- LAB
- lab(72.2 1.3 4.4)
- OKLCH
- oklch(76.0% 0.012 71.9)
Analysis
Color intelligence
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Gamut
The full range of colors a device or space can show. sRGB is the common screen gamut; Display P3 is wider. A color outside a gamut cannot be shown accurately there and must be mapped inward.Full glossary entry →Displays accurately on every screen and translates well to print.
Temperature
Undertone
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neutral, leaning warm
subtle orange undertone in this near-neutral
Nearest standard colors
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Delta E (ΔE)
A measure of how different two colors look. Below 1 the difference is invisible to almost everyone; below 2.3 most people can't tell them apart; above 10 they are clearly different colors. We use CIEDE2000, the modern standard.Full glossary entry →
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Delta E (ΔE)
A measure of how different two colors look. Below 1 the difference is invisible to almost everyone; below 2.3 most people can't tell them apart; above 10 they are clearly different colors. We use CIEDE2000, the modern standard.Full glossary entry →- CSS: darkgray #A9A9A9 · ΔE 4.7
- RAL 7044: Silk grey #BDBDB2 · ΔE 5.2 · approximate
RAL values are widely published approximations of the physical standard. For Pantone-adjacent workflows, match by eye against a physical fan deck. Pantone's values are proprietary and device-dependent, so we don't print lookups.
Where Mercurial works
- Web & UI: Use it decoratively for dividers, chart series, and illustration accents, and let neutrals carry the type.
- Interiors: Muted enough to paint all four walls; sample it in both daylight and evening light before committing.
- Fashion: Works as a base layer or outerwear tone that lets brighter pieces do the talking.
- Branding: As a brand anchor it reads established and tactile; pair with a single vivid accent for energy.
- Interiors: Use it where you want the eye to land: a front door, built-ins, or one bold wall.
- Fashion: One garment in this color carries an outfit; two starts to compete.
Copy as: every ecosystem
Variations
Tints, shades, and tones of Mercurial
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Tint
A color mixed with white, which raises its lightness. Pink is a tint of red. Tints feel softer and more open than the base color.Full glossary entry →
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Tint
A color mixed with white, which raises its lightness. Pink is a tint of red. Tints feel softer and more open than the base color.Full glossary entry →Tints (lighter)
Shades (darker)
Harmonies
Color harmonies
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Complementary colors
Two colors opposite each other on the wheel. They create the strongest contrast and make each other look more intense, so they work best used unevenly.Full glossary entry →
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Complementary colors
Two colors opposite each other on the wheel. They create the strongest contrast and make each other look more intense, so they work best used unevenly.Full glossary entry →Palettes built from Mercurial by rotating its hue in OKLCH space. Click any swatch to copy its hex code.
Complementary
Analogous
Triadic
Split-complementary
Tetradic
Monochromatic
Accessibility
Contrast & accessibility
Aa on white
contrast 2.15:1
AA fail AAA fail AA large fail
Aa on black
contrast 9.77:1
AA pass AAA pass AA large pass
Best text color on a Mercurial background: #000000
Palettes
Palettes featuring Mercurial
Mercurial with its complement
Soft neighbors of Mercurial
Mercurial triad
Explore
Similar colors
- Dove #B3ADA7 · ΔE 1.0
- Rampart #BCB7B1 · ΔE 2.0
- Cathedral #ACAAA7 · ΔE 3.1
- Moonbeam #C2B8AE · ΔE 3.1
- Taupedo #BAAEA8 · ΔE 3.2
- Zen Pebble #BAB8AD · ΔE 3.8
Looking for maximum contrast instead? The complement of Mercurial is closest to Microchip .
FAQ
Mercurial FAQs
What color is Mercurial?
Mercurial is a medium gray with the hex code #B6B0A9. In HSL terms it has a hue of 32°, 8% saturation, and 69% lightness.
What is the hex code for Mercurial?
The hex code for Mercurial is #B6B0A9. In RGB it's rgb(182, 176, 169), and in CMYK it's cmyk(0%, 3%, 7%, 29%).
What colors go well with Mercurial?
Mercurial pairs naturally with gray tones from its complementary harmony. Its own tints and shades always work as a monochrome scheme.
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